Adjustable hanger device



Oct. 20, 1970' c. o. LARSON ADJUSTABLE HANGER DEVICE Filed Sept. 12, 1968 l l w I I IY\= VE.\"'I R. CHARLES 0. LARSON BY /2 W {PM /4 T TORNEYS United States Patent 3,534,864 ADJUSTABLE HANGER DEVICE Charles 0. Larson, Sterling, Ill., assignor to Chas. 0. Larson C0., Sterling, IlL, a corporation of Illinois Filed Sept. 12, 1968, Ser. No. 759,316 Int. Cl. A47f 7/00 US. Cl. 211--57 9 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This application discloses a hanger device to be used with a perforated panel for hanging articles for display. The device includes a U-shaped metal rod member with prongs formed at the open end for insertion into a pair of holes in the perforated panel, and a sleeve-like member formed from a single piece of sheet metal and fitted over the closed end of the rod member and slidable longitudinally along the rod member for adjusting the length of the hanger device. The sleeve-like member has an upturned lip at the end most remote from the perforated panel to prevent displayed articles from accidentally sliding off the hanger device and a stop tab depending from said member near its other end for engagement with the closed end of the rod member to limit the extension of the sleeve-like member.

This invention relates to perforated panel hanger means for displaying and dispensing articles of merchandise. In particular, the invention relates to an adjustable perforated panel hanger means including a U-shaped metal rod member with prongs formed at the open end for insertion into a pair of holes in the perforated panel and a sleeve-like member fitted over the closed end of the rod member and slidable longitudinally along the rod member for adjusting the length of the hanger means.

An object of the invention is to provide a novel hanger device capable of being mounted on a perforated panel or other similar display board and on which articles may be hung for display purposes.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel perforated panel hanger device which is adjustable in length to accommodate varying numbers of hanging articles and yet always allow the outermost article to be located at the tip of the hanger for easy access.

Another object of the invention is to provide an adjustable hanger device of the character described consisting of only two appropriately shaped solid pieces of metal, one rod and one sheet, thus allowing for simple and inexpensive manufacture.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide an adjustable hanger device of the character described wherein a sleeve-like member is fitted over a U-shaped rod member and is slidable longitudinally therealong to permit easy adjustment of the length of the hanger.

Another object of the invention is to provide a twopiece adjustable hanger of the character described, wherein the pieces are movable relative to each other, but cannot become separated.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an adjustable hanger device, according to the invention, with the sleeve-like member extended and mounted on a perforated panel shown fragmentally;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the hanger device of FIG. 1, shown carrying a plurality of packages of merchandise;

FIG. 3 is a reduced fragmentary perspective view of the arrangement of FIG. 2, illustrating the method of removing packages from the hanger device;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of a section taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of the hanger device according to the invention as shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the hanger device according to the invention as shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a front elevational view of a section taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is the sectional view shown in 'FIG. 6 with the sleeve-like member retracted.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 to 3, inclusive, there is shown a hanger device, generally designated which is mounted on an upstanding display board 50, which is preferably of the perforated or hole-punched type commonly known as a perforated panel. The holes 51 punched through the display board 50 are commonly aligned in horizontal rows and vertical columns, spaced apart a predetermined distance, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The hanger device 100 comprises two pieces, a solid, U-shaped rod member and a sleeve-like member fitted over the rod member 110 and slidable longitudinally therealong to effect adjustment of the length of the hanger device 100. Hanger device 100 is so constructed that when mounted on display board 50 it extends outwardly from and substantially normal to the plane of the display board.

In this configuration, hanger device 50 is well adapted to receive packages of merchandise for display. Such packages are shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 and are generally designated 60. Each of the packages 60 includes a baglike portion 61 formed of a transparent material such as a plastic, and having an open upper end through which the articles of merchandise may be inserted. The upper end is closed by a strip of relatively more rigid material 62 such as cardboard which is folded over the upper end of the bag and secured thereto by suitable fastening means such as staples. The strip 62 thus serves not only to close the bag 61, but also as a semirigid means for suspending the package from a supporting member, such as the hanger device of the invention. To this end strip 62 is formed with an elongated slot 63, so shaped that the sleeve-like member 120 is ca pable of being passed therethrough. FIG. 2 shows a typical arrangement of a plurality of packages 60 on the hanger device 100 according to the invention. As packages are removed from the hanger device (see FIG. 3) the sleeve-like member 120 may be slid back along the rod member 110 so that, the outermost package is always near the end of the hanger device 100 for easy access.

In the preferred embodiment the cardboard strip 62 forms a backing which extends down the length of the bag 61, the upper end of said cardboard backing 62 being folded over the top of the bag 61 and downwardly along the front of the bag 61 for a short distance and then being folded back upwardly upon itself to thereby form a triple layer of cardboard enclosing the upper end of the bag 61 which is then stapled to the bag. This double-folded construction affords greater strength and rigidity to the package at its point of support by the hanger device of the invention.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 to 8, inclusive, the construction of the hanger device according to the invention will be considered in more detail. The rod member 110 is bent into a U-shape having an arcuate closed end 115, substantially parallel arms 111 integral with said closed end 115, and preferably spaced apart a distance substantially equal to the distance between horizontally adjacent ones of the holes 51 in pegboard 50. The length of each of the arms 111 is preferably several times greater than the separation between them. Each of the arms 111 has at its end opposite closed end 115, a means for mounting the arm on the pegboard. This mounting means comprises a generally S-shaped prong integral with the end of each arm. Each prong includes an upstanding portion 112, substantially normal to the plane of the arms 111 and disposed to bear against the front surface 54 of the perforated panel 50, an outwardly extending portion 113 substantially parallel to both the plane of the arms 111 and to the arms themselves and directed away from the closed end 115 of the rod member 110, and an upstanding portion 114, substantially normal to the plane of the arms 111 and disposed to bear against the back surface 55 of the pegboard 50. The portion 113 has a length only slightly greater than the thickness of the pegboard The tips of the mounting prongs of the arms 111 are inserted through a horizontally adjacent pair of holes 51 in 50 and the hanger device 110 is lowered into the position shown in FIGS. 4 and 8 wherein the portion 114 bears against the back surface of perforated panel 50, portion 113 extends through the hole 51 and portion 112 bears against the front surface 54 of the perforated panel 50. In this position the plane of the arms 111 is substantially horizontal.

The rod member 110 may be formed of any material of suitable strength and resiliency, either plastic or metal, but is preferably formed from a single piece of steel rod or wire. The rod may be of any desired diameter so long as it does not exceed the diameter of the pegboard holes and the U-shaped member may be of any desired length to support varying numbers of packages of varying weights.

Fitted over rod member 110 is a member 120 which is preferably formed of a single rectangular piece of material which, in its pre-formed condition has a length approximately equal to the length of the rod member 110 and a width slightly less than twice the distance of separation between the outer sides of arms 111 plus the circumference of the rod 110. The piece of material is shaped to extend across the arms 111 forming a fiat planar upper portion 122, to wrap around the outside of the arms 111 forming arcuate side portions 123, and to fold back upon itself underneath the arms 111 forming lower portions 124 substantially parallel to upper portion 122. There is thereby described a thin sleevelike member capable of being fitted over the rod member 110 from its closed end 115 and capable of being slid longitudinally along rod member 110 to extend the length thereof by varying amounts. FIG. 4 shows the member 120 in fully extended position and FIG. 8 shows it retracted with the edges 126 of portions 122 and 124 in contact with portions 112 of member 110.

Sleeve member 120 further includes a stop tab 125 which is punched from upper portion 122 and depends therefrom. Tab 125 is preferably located toward the end of member 120 closest to perforated panel 50 and approximately midway between the arms 111. The tab 125 is preferably substantially square in shape with one side integral with portion 122 and other three sides separated from portion 122 and depending downwardly therefrom and away from perforated panel 50'. The downward vertical extent of tab 125 is approximately equal to the diameter of rod member 110'. In operation, when sleeve member 120 is slid away from pegboard 50 a predetermined maximum desirable distance, stop tab 125 will engage the inside of arcuate end 115 of rod member 110, thereby stopping member 120 and preventing any further extension of the length of hanger device 100. Thus members 110' and 120 are prevented from becoming accidentally separated during use, with resulting spillage of and possible damage to the displayed merchandise.

Sleeve member 120 is also provided with an upturned lip 127 integral with the upper portion 122 and extendi-ng outwardly and curved upwardly therefrom at the end of sleeve member 120 farthest from board 50. Lip 127 is preferably of the size and shape indicated in FIGS. 4- through 6 of the drawing and serves to prevent packages of merchandise from accidentally sliding off the end of the hanger device 100, if from the weight of displayed merchandise or otherwise, the hanger 100 or board 50 should become tilted slightly downward. The lip 127 also serves to prevent articles from being accidentally knocked off hanger 100 by passers-by.

It is evident that this end may also be furthered by shaping rod member 110 so that the angle formed between the arms 111 and the portions 112 is slightly less than degrees, thereby imparting a slight upward tilt to rod member 110 when it is in its operative position mounted on perforated panel 50. Thus, merchandise packages will tend to slide toward perforated panel 50 rather than away from it.

Sleeve member 120 may be formed from metal or plastic or any other suitable material, but in the preferred embodiment it is formed from light gauge sheet steel.

It should be noted that hanger may be made in a variety of sizes to accommodate varying weights and varing numbers of articles of merchandise. Of course as the gauge or diameter of rod is increased it will be limited by the diameter of holes 51 in board 50 and the weight of material displayed will be limited by the strength of board 50. Accordingly, thicker, heavier-duty perforated panels with larger holes may be needed for very heavy merchandise packages. Similarly as the separation between arms 111 is increased, the length of slot 63 in packages 60 will have to be increased accordingly as will the spacing of holes 51 in pegboard 50'.

In view of the foregoing it is apparent that there has been provided a novel perforated panel hanger device characterized by easily adjustable length, simple two-piece construction for inexpensive manufacture, stop tab means to prevent separation of the two pieces and safety lip means to prevent displayed articles from accidentally sliding off the hanger device when in use.

While there has been described what is at present considered to be the preferred embodiment of the invention, it will be understood that various modifications may be made therein, and it is intended to cover in the appended claims all such modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. An adjustable hanger device for use with an upstanding perforated panel having a plurality of pairs of holes therethrough, the two holes of each of said pairs being aligned horizontally and spaced apart a predetermined distance, said hanger device comprising a generally U-shaped support member including two spaced-apart substantially parallel arms connected at one end by and integral with a bridging portion, each of said arms having at one end thereof means for mounting said arm in an associated hole of one of said pairs of holes, and a sleevelike member fitting across said arms and extending around only the outer sides thereof along substantially the entre length of said sleeve-like member, said sleevelike member being adapted to slide longitudinally along said support member for adjusting the length of said hanger device.

2. The adjustable hanger device of claim 1, wherein said hanger device, when disposed in its mounted position, extends outward from and substantially normal to the plane of said perforated panel.

3. The adjustable hanger device of claim 1, wherein said sleeve-like member has at its end most remote from said perforated panel an upturned lip to prevent hanging articles from accidentally sliding off the end of said hanger device.

4. The adjustable hanger device of claim 1, wherein said sleeve-like member comprises a single piece of material including an upper portion extending across the upper surfaces of said arms, side portions integral with said upper portion and wrapped around the outer sides of said arms, and a lower portion, integral with said side portions and substantially parallel to said upper portion.

5. The adjustable hanger device of claim 1, wherein said sleeve-like member has a stop tab depending therefrom for engaging said bridging portion of said rod member to prevent said sleeve-like member from sliding 011 said rod member.

6. The adjustable hanger device of claim 1, wherein said sleeve-like member comprises a single piece of material including an upper portion extending across the upper surfaces of said arms, side portions integral with said upper portion and wrapped around only the outer sides of said arms and a lower portion integral with said side portions and substantially parallel to said upper portion.

7. The adjustable hanger device of claim 1, wherein said sleeve-like member comprises a length of material folded upon itself into a thin sleeve-like shape generally rectangular in cross section.

8. An adjustable hanger device for use with an upstanding perforated panel having a plurality of pairs of holes therethrough, the two holes of each of said pairs being aligned horizontally and spaced apart a predetermined distance, said hanger device comprising a U-shaped support member including two spaced-apart substantially parallel arms connected at one end and integral with a bridging portion, each of said arms having at one end means for mounting thereof in an associated hole of one of said pairs of holes, and a sleeve-like member comprised of a single piece of metal including an upper portion extending across the upper surface of said arms, said portions integral with said upper portion and wrapped around only the outer sides of said arms and a lower portion integral with said side portions and substantially parallel to said upper portion, said sleeve-like member including a stop tab depending from said upper portion substantially midway between said arms and engaging said bridging portion of said rod member to prevent said sleevelike member from sliding off said rod member, said sleevelike member being adaptable to slide longitudinally along said support member for adjusting the length of said hanger device.

9. The adjustable hanger device of claim 8, wherein said sleeve-like member has at its end most remote from said pegboard an upturned lip integral with said upper portion to prevent hanging articles from accidentally sliding off the end of said hanger device.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 579,092 3/1897 Hoyt 21 154 2,655,268 10/1953 Whaley 211-123 X 3,200,960 8/1965 Banse 211-59 773,972 11/ 1904 Palmenberg 248243 X ROY D. FRAZIER, Primary Examiner J. F. FOSS, Assistant Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 21159; 248-223 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3 534 354 Dated 10:20-70 lnvent fl Charles 0. Larson It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Col. 2, line 71, "pegboard" should be perforated panel Col. 3, lines 14-15, "pegboard" should be perforated panel line 16, "pegboard" should be perforated panel line 18, after "in" insert perforated panel line 31, "pegboard" should be perforated panel line 65, "pegboard should be perforated panel Col. 4, line 33, "pegboard" should be perforated panel line 60, "entre" should be entire SIGNED MD SEALED (SEAL) Ami:

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